Spotify set to hike prices – Here's how much it will cost you to listen to music
For most people, music is part of everyday life, and some cannot complete certain activities without it playing in the background. In the past, music could be downloaded online for free.
But today, capitalism reigns, with a few big companies controlling the music app market. As a result, people now pay subscriptions to listen to music or podcasts on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music.
According to information gathered from the three platforms' websites, YouTube Music's individual plan is the cheapest, while Spotify and Apple Music's plans are the most expensive.
The world's most popular audio streaming platform, Spotify, announced it will be increasing its subscription fee in certain countries, including South Africa.
ALSO READ: Spotify to cut some 600 staff as tech woes spread
Spotify increases prices
In a statement, the Swedish music streaming company stated it will increase prices from September for premium subscribers.
Spotify will hike subscription by €1 (R20.69), and subscribers will soon receive an email with information detailing the increase.
Places that are set to be affected by the increase are South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.
Spotify's plans
In SA, Spotify premium prices vary depending on the plan you are on. Below are the new prices subscribers will have to pay:
Premium Individual plan costs R69.99 per month
Premium Duo plan costs R94.99 per month
Premium Family plan costs R119.99 per month
Premium Student plan costs R37.99 per month.
Spotify was launched in 2008, and it entered the audiobook market in 2022. The platform has more than 696 million users, including 276 million subscribers.
ALSO READ: Apple hit with 1.8-bn-euro EU fine for music streaming restrictions
How much does Apple Music cost?
Spotify competitors in the music app market include Apple Music, which offers the same features. However, the two platforms do not always have the same music or podcasts.
According to Statista, Apple Music had 95 million subscribers in June 2024, up by 2 million from 2023. It was launched in 2015 by tech giant Apple.
Just like Spotify, prices paid by subscribers vary depending on the plan you are on.
Individual plan costs R69.99 per month
Family plan costs R109.99 per month
YouTube Music
Google launched YouTube Music to replace the Google Play Music service. YouTube also offers a premium plan, which allows people to use the platform without interruptions from ads.
As of March 2025, YouTube Music and Premium together have more than 125 million subscribers. A subscription to YouTube Premium includes access to YouTube Music.
According to MyBroadband, Google increased the prices of these two platforms in June 2025. Prices are set as follows:
YouTube Music's individual plan costs R64.99 per month
YouTube Music Family plan costs R99.99 per month
YouTube Premium's individual plan costs R81.99 per month
YouTube Premium Family plan costs R149.99 per month
ALSO READ: Music lovers panic on social media as Spotify goes down
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
New Spotify subscription prices in South Africa: Are you ready for the increase?
South African music lovers will have to fork out more money to listen to music on Spotify Image: File picture South African music lovers will have to fork out more money to listen to music on Spotify after the streaming giant announced that it will be increasing its Premium subscription prices in the coming weeks. The price hike forms part of a global update affecting multiple regions, including South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific. In a statement issued to the media earlier this week, the Swedish music streaming company said the increase is necessary to support continued innovation and to enhance its personalised, world-class listening experience. example of an email Spotify users will receive, confirming the price hike. Image: Spotify "At Spotify, we're committed to delivering a world-class, personalised experience for every user," the company said. "To continue to innovate on our product offerings and features and bring users the best experience, we occasionally update our prices." The company added that premium users will receive formal communication over the next month informing them what the new changes mean for their subscription. "Over the next month, Premium subscribers in multiple markets across South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region will receive an email explaining what this update means for their subscriptions," The Spotify Premium prices in South Africa are different depending on which Premium plan you choose. According to the company, the prices will be hiked by €1 (R20.69). New Spotify Premium Prices in South Africa: Premium Individual : R69.99/month Premium Duo : R94.99/month Premium Family : R119.99/month Premium Student : R37.99/month IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- The Citizen
Spotify set to hike prices – Here's how much it will cost you to listen to music
YouTube Music's individual plan is the cheapest, while Spotify and Apple Music's plans are the most expensive. For most people, music is part of everyday life, and some cannot complete certain activities without it playing in the background. In the past, music could be downloaded online for free. But today, capitalism reigns, with a few big companies controlling the music app market. As a result, people now pay subscriptions to listen to music or podcasts on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music. According to information gathered from the three platforms' websites, YouTube Music's individual plan is the cheapest, while Spotify and Apple Music's plans are the most expensive. The world's most popular audio streaming platform, Spotify, announced it will be increasing its subscription fee in certain countries, including South Africa. ALSO READ: Spotify to cut some 600 staff as tech woes spread Spotify increases prices In a statement, the Swedish music streaming company stated it will increase prices from September for premium subscribers. Spotify will hike subscription by €1 (R20.69), and subscribers will soon receive an email with information detailing the increase. Places that are set to be affected by the increase are South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. Spotify's plans In SA, Spotify premium prices vary depending on the plan you are on. Below are the new prices subscribers will have to pay: Premium Individual plan costs R69.99 per month Premium Duo plan costs R94.99 per month Premium Family plan costs R119.99 per month Premium Student plan costs R37.99 per month. Spotify was launched in 2008, and it entered the audiobook market in 2022. The platform has more than 696 million users, including 276 million subscribers. ALSO READ: Apple hit with 1.8-bn-euro EU fine for music streaming restrictions How much does Apple Music cost? Spotify competitors in the music app market include Apple Music, which offers the same features. However, the two platforms do not always have the same music or podcasts. According to Statista, Apple Music had 95 million subscribers in June 2024, up by 2 million from 2023. It was launched in 2015 by tech giant Apple. Just like Spotify, prices paid by subscribers vary depending on the plan you are on. Individual plan costs R69.99 per month Family plan costs R109.99 per month YouTube Music Google launched YouTube Music to replace the Google Play Music service. YouTube also offers a premium plan, which allows people to use the platform without interruptions from ads. As of March 2025, YouTube Music and Premium together have more than 125 million subscribers. A subscription to YouTube Premium includes access to YouTube Music. According to MyBroadband, Google increased the prices of these two platforms in June 2025. Prices are set as follows: YouTube Music's individual plan costs R64.99 per month YouTube Music Family plan costs R99.99 per month YouTube Premium's individual plan costs R81.99 per month YouTube Premium Family plan costs R149.99 per month ALSO READ: Music lovers panic on social media as Spotify goes down
The Citizen
16 hours ago
- The Citizen
Donell Jones to headline Ndlala Mall grand opening in Pretoria
Donell will share the stage with leading Mzansi artists, including Zonke Dikana and Vusi Nova. Following Tank's withdrawal last week, Ndlala Mall CEO Thami Ndlala has announced American R&B star Donell Jones as the headliner for the highly anticipated grand opening of Ndlala Mall in Pretoria. The event, initially scheduled for 2 and 3 August, was postponed to 23 August after Tank cancelled his performance. READ MORE: American R&B star Tank cancels SA performance due to 'business fallout' Star-studded line-up In a statement on Tuesday, Ndlala said they were honoured to have Donell leading the performance line-up. 'It is an honour to have an artist of such great calibre in the music industry headlining the opening,' said Ndlala. He will share the stage with leading Mzansi artists, including Zonke Dikana and Vusi Nova. Donell is an American R&B singer from Chicago, best known for his 1999 platinum-certified album Where I Wanna Be, featuring the hit single U Know What's Up, with Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes. The track peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. His 2002 album Life Goes On reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200. He currently boasts 1.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify. The launch will take place at the Ndlala Arena – a 550-seat venue located within the mall in Pretoria. NOW READ: 'Vusi Nova and I been talking': Anthony Hamilton hints at collaboration
